Bill honoring Kansas City firefighter Graham Hoffman caught in Missouri Senate dispute
By Andy Alcock
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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KMBC) — A plan to honor fallen Kansas City firefighter/paramedic Graham Hoffman was caught in the middle of a partisan dispute in the Missouri Senate.
Senator Rick Brattin, a Republican from Harrisonville, pulled the bill to honor Hoffman by naming a portion of Highway 9 in Platte County from the consent calendar, a fast-track for non-controversial bills.
Brattin said his objection wasn’t to the proposal, it was to his colleague Senator Maggie Nurrenbern, a Democrat from Kansas City.
“This particular senator has been extremely disruptive in committees, causing scenes. I mean it’s not just a one off, situation it’s three months of disruption and obstruction,” Brattin said.
Hoffman was stabbed to death while treating a patient last April.
On Wednesday, Brattin pulled the Hoffman bill off the consent calendar.
“There’s a time and a place for political shenanigans and there’s a time to do what’s right,” Nurrenbern said.
Brattin said he was especially upset at Nurrenbern for a filibuster lasting until 4 a.m. over a crime bill in part designed to have longer mandatory prison time for convicted felons.
“It’s basically legislative terrorism,” he said.
Nurrenbern said Democrats told Republicans they wouldn’t stand idly by while the GOP super majority passed whatever they wanted.
“We’ve put an end to a rubber stamp Senate,” she said.
Nurrenbern also said Democrats want balanced criminal justice reform.
But Brattin points out Hoffman is a crime victim.
“We want policies that stop this before we have to name highways after these servants,” he said.
However, ultimately, Brattin put the Hoffman highway bill back on the fast track calendar.
“It really had to do with the subject matter of the bill once I found out,” he said.
“I’m grateful for Senator Brattin rescinding his objection,” Nurrenbern said.
“Hopefully it puts it in perspective that it sucks when somebody’s messing with your legislation,” Brattin said.
Under the plan, the Missouri Department of Transportation will put up and maintain signs honoring Hoffman.
The Missouri Senate is in recess until March 23.
Shanetta Bossell is accused of stabbing and killing Hoffman.
She’s facing murder and several other felony charges.
Bossell is due in Clay County Court for a hearing next week.
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